2023 Kia Forte

The Kia Forte has matured into a serious contender over the years; it has attractive styling, a comfortable interior, a good selection of powertrains, plenty of comfort and safety features, and a high-value price tag, so it's no wonder that this handsome sedan is proving to be a popular choice. Built on the Hyundai-Kia K2 platform, the Forte is now in its third generation and has been treated to two fairly major facelifts since it first appeared in the USA for 2019. Two power units are offered in the new Kia Forte sedan lineup, with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder covering the baseline and a 1.6-liter turbo four-cylinder as motive power in high-spec variants. Outputs range from 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, to 201 hp and 195 lb-ft with the turbo unit.

At least two of the 2023 Kia Forte's competitors are more appealing to driving enthusiasts; these include the Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, and Mazda 3. Still, the Forte's strong value proposition and good looks should be enough to divert a lot of buyers into Kia showrooms.

It's hard to deny the appeal of an affordable car, and with the Forte LX starting at just $19,490, it definitely fits the bill. The LXS isn't much more expensive at $19,990. The appearance upgrade to the GT-Line will cost you $21,690, while the genuine sporty GT will set you back $24,190. With a manual transmission and a few extra shiny bits, the GT Manual tops out at $24,890. These prices for the Kia Forte are MSRP and do not include tax and registration or the $1,095 destination charge.

The Kia sedan is a pleasant car to drive; the handling isn't really spectacular or engaging, but the Forte corners with minimal body roll and exhibits good body control over bumps. The steering is direct but doesn't relay any road feel to the driver. This is unlikely to be off-putting to most buyers, because nobody expects a well-equipped compact sedan in this price range to be fun to drive as well, but it does call the suspension's firmness into question. Ride comfort is generally decent, but harsher bumps do reveal a stiff-legged approach to springing and damping that doesn't really align with the mild performance on offer with the base engine. Again, it all makes more sense with the turbo engine, but even there, the performance doesn't really justify the comfort penalties.

The entry-level engine produces only 147 hp. This is arguably the main point of criticism for the Kia Forte, because the base power unit is nowhere near potent enough to exploit the sportily-tuned suspension. Matters are considerably more lively when the 201-hp 1.6-liter turbo, perhaps also because this engine isn't weighed down by a CVT, so performance takes a considerable step upward. It's ample for daily duties, though it won't thrill you.

If you're after value for money along with exemplary fuel efficiency and good looks, the Kia Forte will be perfect for your requirements. While it won't win any awards for driver engagement and the base engine is dull, the reality of a loaded features list, a spacious cabin (especially in front) with comfortable seats, and a class-leading warranty will be enough to win the Forte a lot of fans. Pricing is reasonable, it's not a chore to drive, and safety reviews for the Kia Forte are mostly good, too. This is basic transport at its most honest, and when looking at the Forte from that angle, it's a strong value proposition. The Forte's all-round capability is difficult to beat.

The turbocharged GT models are hard to ignore, but that simply isn't where the real value lies with the Kia Forte. The sedan makes the best case for itself as a high-value, affordable vehicle, so sticking to the lower end of the range makes the most sense. The GT-Line includes a lot of features over the base model, including some advanced safety features. It's definitely the recommended model if you can't afford the turbocharged GT. However, the LX is still a good choice if you're strapped for cash.